Central Penn College's History

Campus Building Names

As you walk across campus, you will find many of the buildings,
student housing, and other structures boast the name of an
individual. Each was named to honor someone who held a
special place in the hearts of President Emeritus Bart Milano, his
wife Jean, and current President Todd A. Milano. These
individuals shared the College's core values of integrity,
professionalism, service, respect and educational focus, and played
a role in Central Penn's success.

Student apartments Gale, Todd and Teri are named for Bart and
Jean's children; Anne Hall bears Jean's middle name; Fred and Kathi
Hall are named in memory of two children - Fred Neumann and Kathi
Spragg. The Neumanns and the Spraggs were close friends of
Bart and Jean Milano. Both of these children left this world
too soon. Bollinger Hall is named in honor of Elizabeth G.
Bollinger, who taught shorthand at Central Penn for 15 years.
Bart A. Milano Hall, once known as the East Wing, was dedicated and
renamed to honor President Emeritus Bart A. Milano, who served as
the College's president from 1969 to 1989. The Boyer House is
named in honor of the Boyer family who built and occupied the home
for more than 200 years. The College purchased the Boyer Farm
from Catherine Boyer in March 1999. Henzsey's Bridge kept its
name when it traveled across three counties to rest on Central
Penn's Summerdale campus. Its journey began with College
President Todd A. Milano's vision of using an old bridge to cross
the chasm and join both parts of campus. The Charles "T"
Jones Leadership Library is named to honor its benefactor and good
friend, Charles "Tremendous" Jones. The Craiger C. Parker
Amphitheatre honors Dean Parker, who lost his battle to cancer
while working at Central Penn, and recognizes his leadership,
military and community service, as well as his dedication and
service to the College.

To learn more about all of the buildings on campus, explore the
boxes below.

Each year enrollment increased and a sixth residence hall was added. It bore Jean Milano's middle name - Anne. Jean began her career in 1969 when her husband Bart acquired the school. Mrs. Milano worked full-time through 1974 and part-time for a good many years thereafter. Her responsibilities included everything from teaching to admissions to interviews to school registrar. She was known for her uncanny ability to remember and recognize each student by name, a gift which she still possesses. Mrs. Milano continues to support Central Penn through contributions to the College's Education Foundation. She retired in 1989, the same year that her son, Todd, began his tenure as president of the College.

The ATEC (Advanced Technology Education Center) opened in
January 2002. The three story building doubled the size of
the College's academic buildings, and houses classrooms, a
conference center and Student Union. In 2006, a $1,000,000 learning
facility was added that includes a crime lab, a physical therapist
assistant clinic, and a medical assisting lab.

The first academic building constructed on the Summerdale campus, opened in the fall of 1970. At that time, the building served as the main entrance, reception area, administrative/faculty offices and classrooms, and did not have an 'official name' until a new building was needed. The second building connected to the first with an enclosed breezeway and was named the West Wing; the original building took the name East Wing. On October 5, 1997, the East Wing was dedicated and renamed to honor President Emeritus Bart A. Milano, who served as the College's president from 1969 to 1989.

The two-story academic building opened in 1973 and one year
later was named in honor of Elizabeth G. Bollinger, who taught
shorthand at Central Pennsylvania Business School from 1960 to
1975. Known as a taskmaster, she was the one instructor all
graduates wanted to see when they returned to boast about their
successes. Countless careers can be attributed to this grand
dame of the Gregg Shorthand method. In 1974, Mrs. Bollinger was
named "Outstanding Educator of America" on the basis of her
professional and civic achievements and also was named Central
Penn's first Faculty Member Emeritus. A scholarship was
established in her name by Bart and Jean Milano. During
Bart's lifetime, he began and maintained 'newspaper galleries' that
shared significant moments in history with those who walked its
halls.

Named in honor of the Boyer family who built and occupied the home for more than 200 years, the College purchased the Boyer Farm from Catherine Boyer on March 19, 1999. President Emeritus Todd A. Milano promised Mrs. Boyer that he would restore the stone house and dedicate it to the Boyer Family. The Boyer House holds the offices of the president and president emeritus. In addition, the Historical Society of East Pennsboro Township maintains two rooms showcasing memorabilia of the township's past. More than 1,000 people have toured the Boyer House.

Named for benefactor and friend Charles "Tremendous" Jones. In 2002, the building was transformed and enlarged to afford more room for books and provide a place for students to work on computers, study and meet with classmates and professors in the Leadership Room. The original building was constructed in 1971 and was known as Penn's Palace; it was later renamed The Knight Club to acknowledge Central Penn's mascot: a knight in shining armor. Bart A. Milano wanted Central Penn to have a family atmosphere, and this building provided a place for students to relax and fellowship in front of a cozy fireplace which conveys a feeling of 'home.' The fireplace continues to lend that family atmosphere to the library, and Charlie Jones' portrait now hangs above it, inspiring students and visitors to read, read, read. Through the friendship with Charlie Jones, many world-renown authors and speakers visited Central Penn and inspired many at local events.

The entire Craiger Parker family was on campus on July 1, 2003 for the dedication ceremony. The Craiger C. Parker Amphitheatre provides an outdoor venue for students to fellowship or to participate in classes or other events. Engraved pavers share special words from donors whose gifts helped make the amphitheatre a reality. Dean Parker lost his battle to cancer while working at Central Penn. A plaque honoring him for his leadership, military and community service, as well as his dedication and service to Central Penn displays his success story and forms the podium. Dean Parker's values mirrored those of the College, and Central Penn's Core Values are showcased at the top of the amphitheatre.

Bart and Jean Milano decided to name the fourth and fifth residence halls in honor of two children from two different families who were best friends of the Milanos. Both left this world too soon. Kathi Hall is named in honor of Kathi Spragg, who at the age of 4 ½ slipped through a tube in the Delaware River and drowned. Fred Hall is named in honor of Fred Neumann from Connecticut. He was a pre-med student serving as a counselor in Boy Scout camp, and while attempting to rescue a scout who was drowning, Fred drowned. He was 19 years old. Fred's father served with Bart Milano in Hawaii during World War II.

This single span wrought-iron bowstring truss was based on the 1869 patent of Joseph Henszey, and kept his name when it traveled across three counties to rest on Central Penn's Summerdale campus. From 2002 until 2010, this historic bridge served not only as a pedestrian walkway, but also represented the College's mission to serve students. A bridge logo was developed with the tag line Your Bridge to Success that appeared on letterhead, envelopes and other College materials. It all began with President Emeritus Todd A. Milano's vision of using an old bridge to cross the chasm and join both parts of campus. Harolld J. Stahle, Jr. '44 assisted in this unique venture. "We got our hands on a Penn DOT list of bridges that would be destroyed if not sold. So we saved a piece of remarkable engineering. Only about a half dozen of these bow string arch bridges exist." -- Harolld J. Stahle, Jr. The College was awarded a 2003 Historic Preservation Award for the relocation and preservation of Henszey's Bridge (1869). Henszey's Bridge still serves as a pedestrian walkway in the middle of campus.

When growth demanded a third academic building, the original building took the name East Wing and the newest building was named the West Wing. The two buildings were connected by an enclosed breezeway so that students didn't have to brave inclement weather as they traveled from class to class.

Did You Know?

Apartments & Townhouses

Instead of living in crowded dorms, Central Penn College students experience real-world living environments in either our apartments or our townhouses!

Central Penn College is a career-oriented, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate, residential college in Summerdale, a suburb of Harrisburg, with an offsite location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Central Penn College offers associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs for both traditional and continuing education students by providing hands-on and online distance education taught by experienced, caring faculty.